The Avalanche signed goaltender prospect Calvin Pickard to a three-year, entry-level contract Friday and also added another top prospect by signing defenseman Tyson Barrie to a three-year deal.

Barrie, the son of former NHL player and former Tampa Bay Lightning co-owner Len Barrie, was drafted in the third round (64th overall) in 2009 and played for Canada in the most recent World Junior Championships.

At 5-feet-10, 190 pounds, Barrie is not a big D-man but is considered an excellent skater with strong offensive skills. He is captain of the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League, with 11 goals and 58 points in 54 games this season. He missed two weeks to play for Canada, helping his country to a silver medal.

Barrie is a finalist for the WHL defenseman of the year award — along with fellow Avs prospect and recent signee Stefan Elliott — and won the award last season.

“Tyson has had an accomplished junior career,” Avs general manager Greg Sherman said in a statement. “We are adding another young defenseman to the organization, and we look forward to him beginning his pro career.”

Pickard just completed his third major-junior season with Seattle. He was a finalist for the WHL goaltender of the year award in 2009-10, when he led the league in games (62), minutes (3,688) and saves (2,207).

Pickard will report to Lake Erie of the American Hockey League and could play for the Monsters soon.

Johnson improving.

With four points in his last two games, and a plus-1 in his last five, Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson said, “I think I’m starting to find my game a little bit.”

Johnson said he remains upbeat about his trade to the Avs, despite having only three wins with them so far.

“I think you have to look at the big picture, with eyes on the horizon,” Johnson said. “This team has a lot of good, young players coming up, and obviously it’s been decimated by injuries.

“But when you see some of the names that are coming back, it’s kind of scary how much firepower we’re going to have.”

Spotlight on Kings LW Dustin Penner: One of the biggest names to move at the trading deadline, Penner, 28, came to Los Angeles from Edmonton and has two goals and four assists in 11 games for the Kings.

Notebook

Avalanche: The Avalanche said Friday that Mark Olver (head) and Ryan Wilson (knee) will be out on a day-to-day basis but will make the trip to Southern California, where the Avs will play Los Angeles today and Anaheim on Monday. Olver was hurt after a big hit from Toronto’s Mike Komisarek in Thursday’s 4-3 loss, and Wilson hurt his knee in the second period. . . . The Avs recalled defenseman Shawn Belle from Lake Erie of the AHL

Kings: The Kings lost winger Justin Williams to a shoulder injury against Calgary on Monday night, and he could miss at least the remainder of the regular season. Terry Frei and Adrian Dater, The Denver Post

Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson had butterflies before Sunday's game against the Detroit Red Wings. It wasn't because of the big-name opponent, but rather his return from a 13-game injury absence and being stoked to rejoin a team in a playoff push and looking for its third postseason appearance in 10 years.